September 4, 2012
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Analyze This! ... PFR-3, a 3-Band Portable Field Radio
The PFR-3, the KD1JV-designed QRP CW transceiver from Hendricks Kits
Overview There's been so much positive feedback on our Analyze
This! theme that we decided to expand it a bit by tackling a popular
commercially-available radio, tool or accessory each month. In this
regular slot we'll try to be the "independent observers" and comment on the
features, build-ability, performance and other factors that we all might find of
interest when considering purchase of the product. Because of time limits
for the CWTD show, as well as other good analyses usually being available online
from reviewers, we'll just skim the surface and discuss the main points ... but
that free-form discussion is often what is fun to listen to and participate in!
Plus, you might learn a little about the technology incorporated into the
products we analyze! Okay, this week we are taking on the very cool 3-band CW
transceiver coming from the NH-based KD1JV Design labs. It is kitted and
sold by Hendricks Kits, and is a pleasure to use. We are told by some
experts that this transceiver fits a specific niche just right ... let's see how
it does that!
... what it is, how it works, best
features, technical breakdown & analysis.
Audio Recording ... (Listen to the MP3 podcast)
Discussion Notes:
<20:19:27> "Paul - wa0rse": I do have
a comment on the PRF-3 design -- the switches! Are these slide switches robust
in the field?
<20:20:48> "Paul - wa0rse": I do -- Partially built!
<20:21:15> "Dale - WC7S in Wy": I have one
<20:21:31> "Dale - WC7S in Wy": I've built a couple doz
<20:24:28> "Rick K3IND": how wide is the preselector?
<20:24:43> "Dale - WC7S in Wy": It is handy to detune if being confronted with
strong unwanted signals too
<20:26:34> "Paul - wa0rse": @Dale: Is failure of slide switches an issue? '
<20:27:24> "Paul - wa0rse": I'm concerned about grit and dirt in the field
causing some intermittent operation...
<20:29:02> "Dale - WC7S in Wy": If dirt is a problem, Paul, then felt can used
on top of the switchs and under the top case to control the influx of dirt...
sealing the red works well
<20:29:14> "Dale - WC7S in Wy": I'll go check my mike
<20:36:31> "Paul - wa0rse": Those LED's work great when it's dark out -- the
only time when a backpacker operates!
<20:37:22> "Rick K3IND": compare with nuepsk display
<20:37:39> "Ray K2ULR": Same idea in the KX1.
<20:38:25> "Dale - WC7S in Wy": I think I am back..... cw is easier
<20:39:26> "Joe N2CX": Ray, yes the KX-1 display ahs the same basic design and
the bright snlight visibility issues.
<20:40:38> "Lee KM4YY": Dale. I can see your typing just fine.
<20:41:31> "Dale - WC7S in Wy": Hi Lee, not sure about this mic... thing... cw
is so much easier...
<20:41:45> "Paul - wa0rse": Sid turn off your VOX!
<20:42:00> "Paul - wa0rse": Or use headphones on your computer....
<20:42:22> "George - N2APB": SID, IF YOU CAN SEE THIS ... YOU MUST MUST MUST
DISABLE YOUR VOX. YOU ARE TRANSMITTING WHEN YOU SHOULD NOT BE.
<20:42:34> "Dale - WC7S in Wy": someone once said...I have a face for radio..
and a voice for cw... that fits me too.
<20:42:49> "George - N2APB": Ha!
<20:43:09> "Dale - WC7S in Wy": The finals in the PFR are less sensitive to swr
issues because the tuner has a load in it..
<20:43:31> "Dale - WC7S in Wy": Yes.. no one can tell but the finals are happy
<20:43:58> "Dale - WC7S in Wy": but the PFR can feed a cw decoder
<20:44:39> "Dale - WC7S in Wy": use the switch on the back panel.. the toggle...
<20:52:00> "Dale - WC7S in Wy": IF you put the memory in... then you can access
them with a paddle.. but there isn't any selection for a straight key to choose
which memory
<20:52:33> "Joe N2CX": ATMEGA48
<20:52:44> "Dale - WC7S in Wy": there are two memories... but with a straight
key you can only access one memory
<20:52:54> "Dale - WC7S in Wy": and that is very messy
<20:53:07> "Al K8AXW": TY Dale
<20:53:19> "Dale - WC7S in Wy": Hi Al
<20:53:56> "Lee KM4YY": Al is a a buddy of mine here in wv
<20:57:32> "Lee KM4YY": Joe - What IC number are you talking about now?
<20:57:48> "Paul - wa0rse": bubble 3
<20:58:01> "Lee KM4YY": TKS
<20:59:19> "Dale - WC7S in Wy": microphones are fussy.. keys aren't
<20:59:30> "Dale - WC7S in Wy": the bandpass filters keep the rx sens
<20:59:34> "Dale - WC7S in Wy": yep
<20:59:45> "Dale - WC7S in Wy": the bandpass of the IF filter... not audio on
board
<21:11:50> "Dale - WC7S in Wy": yes bright in daylight
<21:12:57> "Alan W2AEW": I use the Emtech ZM-1 Z-match tuner, which also
includes this same SWR indicator
<21:13:34> "Pete - WB2QLL": polyethylene
<21:14:17> "Pete - WB2QLL": transistor radio caps
<21:14:44> "Alan W2AEW": oh, that's probably what I have too
<21:15:22> "Joe N2CX": Indeed the ZM-1 does work and has a wider match range
though it is twice the size f the BLT
<21:16:32> "Alan W2AEW": yeah - mine is the ZM-2 also.
<21:19:24> "Todd K7TFC": I've read lots of buzz over the last year complaining
that the LM386 is noisy and that there are better choices. Comment?
<21:20:04> "Paul - wa0rse": gotta run, guys.
<21:20:06> "Paul - wa0rse": 73
<21:20:07> "Dale - WC7S in Wy": If you swamp the if filters in an attempt to
widen the rx for audio that drops the rx sens a lot
<21:25:25> "Todd K7TFC": Doesn't the 602 have better specs?
<21:25:29> "Al K8AXW": Lee, you might want to make a copy of the Whiteboard with
each "bubble" circuit description in case you have to get into your PRF-3 at a
later date
<21:25:38> "Dale - WC7S in Wy": The replacement cost is less than some others
and this one isn't likely to go outta source
<21:26:25> "Lee KM4YY": Al - I save all the podcasts and white boards.
<21:27:28> "Dale - WC7S in Wy": The Scout
<21:27:33> "Dale - WC7S in Wy": Regen Scout
<21:27:54> "Lee KM4YY": NorEaster?
<21:28:16> "Todd K7TFC": Diz is the one who claims the 602AN is superior to the
612AN
<21:28:43> "Todd K7TFC": In fact he won't sell the 612
<21:29:04> "Joe N2CX": For ham use there is very little difference between the
two chps.
<21:31:51> "Todd K7TFC": It usually works to just Google the part number.
<21:31:55> "Joe N2CX": www.digikey.com
no - in between
<21:35:38> "Alan W2AEW": in google - if you type "filetype:pdf" then the IC's
part number. you'll often get a datasheet on the first few links
<21:36:29> "Alan W2AEW": Here's a datasheet for the SA612A:
http://www.nxp.com/documents/data_sheet/SA612A.pdf
<21:36:43> "Todd K7TFC": Another winner, George and Joe! Many thanks!!!
<21:37:06> "Lee KM4YY": What topic next week??
<21:37:07> "Al K8AXW": TY Alan
<21:37:44> "Ray K2ULR": :)
<21:37:54> "Dale - WC7S in Wy": Thanks George and Joe! Great Job. Have a Tri-Bander?
<21:38:23> "Terry WB4JFI": I hope a Cube will be there!
<21:38:36> "Al K8AXW": Excellent Podcast!! Also thanks George for the detailed
information on locating the Whiteboard. This week it fell right into place!!
<21:38:51> "Ray K2ULR": George promises to bring a Cube. :)
<21:38:58> "Dale - WC7S in Wy": You're certainly welcome any time
<21:39:40> "Dale - WC7S in Wy": Happy to help!
<21:41:15> "Bryan AA3WM": Thanks everyone!
<21:42:04> "Todd K7TFC": How about an episode on something SSB? 20 Meters?
<21:44:08> "Terry WB4JFI": Sounds like a line level driving a mic input Sid
<21:44:20> "Ray K2ULR": Too much gain in the first stage.
<21:45:53> "Todd K7TFC": 73 CL
<21:46:08> "Terry WB4JFI": Yeah Sid!!! It's good to hear your voice on here!
<21:48:32> "Joe N2CX": 73!
<21:58:06> "George - N2APB": Thanks again Dale!
<21:58:23> "Dale - WC7S in Wy": You're very welcome
SESSION NOTES .... The PFR-3 "Portable Friendly Radio" from KD1JV Designs and Hendricks Kits
